Ball game apparatus and resetting device for applying therein

ABSTRACT

A ball game apparatus comprising a delivery lane ( 3 ) for allowing a ball path between a delivery area and a target area ( 2 ). In the target area there is disposed at least one target element ( 10 ) to be struck by a game ball. A resetting device ( 1 ) is provided to place one or more target elements in a starting position or remove them from the target area. On the resetting device is a message generator ( 40 ) which is able and adapted to present a message to a player in association with the resetting device coming into operation.

The present invention relates to a ball game apparatus comprising a delivery lane for allowing a ball path between a delivery area and a target area, wherein in the target area at least one target element is disposed, at least during operation, to be struck by a game ball, and wherein a resetting device is provided to place one or more target elements in a starting position or remove them from the target area. The invention also relates to a resetting device for application in a ball game apparatus in order to place one or more target elements in a starting position or remove them from the target area.

Such a ball game apparatus can take many forms and be operated on the basis of different game rules. A usual form is a so-called bowling lane wherein a relatively heavy ball is bowled from the delivery area in the direction of ten target elements, the so-called pins. The pins are here disposed in a fixed pattern in a target area at a distance in the order of 25 metres from the delivery area. It is the intention here to knock down the ten pins in as few deliveries as possible. For fully-automatic operation of the apparatus a resetting device is provided, the so-called pin setter, for the purpose of removing the knocked-down pins from the target area after each delivery or set of deliveries and to re-place in their starting position the pins which have not been knocked down, or to set up all the pins again for a new game.

Such ball games, and tenpin bowling in particular, are now played worldwide on a large scale in a large number of countries. For a long time now the game has not been limited to the actual essence thereof, but often provides a fully catered leisure activity, where it is possible to eat and drink and wherein the ball game apparatus is provided with a wide range of lighting and sound effects so as to impart an enhanced perception thereof. A number of game apparatuses are normally placed adjacently of each other in an indoor environment so that the sound and lighting effects of different apparatuses succeed and drown each other out to provide an animated atmosphere. New elements are continually being sought here to entertain the player as fully as possible and make the game more attractive.

The present invention has for its object, among others, to provide a ball game apparatus of the type stated in the preamble which can give the ball game such a new stimulus.

A ball game apparatus of the type stated in the preamble has for this purpose the feature according to the invention that a message generator is coupled to the resetting device which is able and adapted to generate a message to a player in association with the resetting device coming into operation. By thus coupling a message generator to the resetting device in order to exchange messages with the player at a moment in the game which is natural and exciting for him/her, i.e. immediately after a delivery that has just been made, the ball game apparatus will itself become a participant in the game. The ball game apparatus as it were communicates with the player, whereby a certain interaction occurs with the apparatus. The game thus gains in attraction, particularly for an individual player, but a surprise element is thus also added for a player as part of a team.

Although different forms of message per se can be generated by the ball game apparatus according to the invention to the player, such as for instance light, sound and other effects in addition to or instead of auditive and visual messages, a particular embodiment of the ball game apparatus has the feature according to the invention that the message generator is coupled to an image display device which is able and adapted to generate the message to the player in at least visual form. By thus opting for a visual image to generate the message, this can be exchanged specifically with the player or his group of players without directly disturbing the game of other players possibly playing on another apparatus.

In a preferred embodiment, a ball game apparatus of the type stated in the preamble has the feature according to the invention that the resetting device comprises a sweeping device which is provided with a displaceable sweep board and which comprises the image display device on a side of the sweep board directed toward the player. By thus arranging the image display device on the sweep board, there appears not only the message coupled to the resetting device coming into operation, but also the whole image display device on which the message can be read. This increases the surprise effect.

In order to limit the size and weight of the image display device, with a view to inter alia the construction of the sweep board, a further preferred embodiment of the ball game apparatus has the feature according to the invention that the image display device comprises an image display panel built up of solid-state pixels, in particular a liquid crystal panel or a plasma panel. Such a panel can be given a relatively thin and light form and is therefore highly suitable for placing on top of, on or close to the sweep board.

In a further particular embodiment, the ball game apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that the message generator is coupled to an electronic, at least readable memory which is able to store an optionally fixed set of messages, and that the message generator is able to present one or more messages from the set to the player. In such an embodiment one or more messages or communications can be pre-stored in the memory, whereafter the message generator makes a choice therefrom, optionally at random, at set moments during the game. Such an arrangement is particularly suitable for messages of a general nature, such as particularly advertising messages, slogans and messages of encouragement.

A further preferred embodiment of the ball game apparatus is characterized in that detection means are provided which are able and adapted to determine a number of target elements struck following a delivery or set of deliveries, and to generate this as information signal to the message generator, wherein the message generator generates a message on the basis thereof. Because the message generator is thus supplied with information about the game result of the preceding delivery/deliveries of the player, a message adapted to this result can be selected or composed on the basis thereof and then generated to the player. The message generator of the ball game apparatus according to the invention hereby develops into a particularly interactive element in the game and will thus begin to take an active part therein. The player can thus be surprised after each delivery with a comment geared to his playing result.

A further particular embodiment of the ball game apparatus is characterized in that a user console is coupled to the message generator to receive a message from a user and generate it to the message generator. In this embodiment the ball game apparatus provides other players with the option of interactive involvement in the game of the player. The other player herein presents himself as a user of the console in order to compose a message which is for instance generated to the player by the message generator on the next occasion the resetting device is in operation.

Within the scope of the present invention a resetting device of the type stated in the preamble has the feature that there is coupled thereto a message generator which is able and adapted to present a message to a player in association with the resetting device coming into operation.

The present invention will be elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of an exemplary embodiment and an accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a resetting device in an embodiment of a ball game apparatus according to the invention; and

FIGS. 2-8 shows the resetting device of FIG. 1 in successive stages of operation.

The figures are otherwise purely schematic and not drawn to scale. Some dimensions in particular may be exaggerated to a greater or lesser extent for the sake of clarity. Corresponding parts are designated as far as possible in the figures with the same reference numeral.

In the exemplary embodiment of the figures use is made of a ball game apparatus in the form of a bowling lane. FIG. 1 shows in front view a typical example of a resetting device 1, the so-called pin setter, as applied for a bowling lane. The resetting device is disposed over a target area 2 into which a straight lane 3 of more than 25 metres in length debouches from a delivery area located outside the drawing. A ball path runs from the delivery area via this lane 3 to the target area 2, where it is the aim to strike as many as possible of the target elements 10 set up there, the so-called pins, see also FIG. 2. Prior to each new game, the resetting device 1 sets up ten such target elements 10 in a fixed regular pattern in target area 2. In addition to placing the pins in this and other starting positions, the resetting device moreover provides for collection, transport and return of the ball after it has been played. Situated for this purpose at the rear are a ball cushion 4 and a ball accelerator 5. The ball cushion is lined with rubber and absorbs the impact of the ball after it has passed through the target area and then guides the ball to the ball accelerator, which returns the ball to the player in a gutter provided for this purpose.

With a view to placing the pins 10 in a starting position, the resetting device comprises, among other parts, a setting table 20 and a sweeping device 30, which comprises among other parts a sweep wagon 31 and a sweep board 32, see also FIG. 2 and further. The setting table 20 serves to detect the number of pins 10 still standing after a ball has been played, and to pick up and re-place these still standing pins. In addition, the setting table comprises on its top side an ingenious construction to receive discharged pins from an elevator 25 and place them in the desired pattern on target area 2. The operation of these components of the resetting device will become clear with reference to FIG. 2 and further.

FIG. 2 shows a detection position of setting table 20 in which the table detects which pins are (still) standing in the target area so as to pick them up and subsequently re-place them in a starting position, see FIG. 3, for a following ball. Each time a ball 6 or a set of balls has been delivered, see FIG. 4, this resetting step takes place, which is here initiated by lowering sweep wagon 31 with sweep board 32, see FIG. 5. Once the still standing pins have been picked up by the setting table, the sweep wagon is displaced to the rear, see FIG. 6, to sweep away the knocked-over pins 10 with sweep board 31 and thus remove them from the target area. These pins are then discharged and the remaining pins are re-placed in the target area by means of the setting table, see FIG. 7. Sweep wagon 31 with sweep board 32 is finally pulled up again, whereafter the apparatus is ready for a following delivery, see FIG. 8.

According to the present invention the ball game apparatus comprises a message generator which is coupled to this operation of the resetting device. In this embodiment the message generator comprises an image display device in the form of a relatively thin image display panel 40 arranged on a side of the sweep board 31 directed toward the player. The image display panel 40 comprises in this embodiment a liquid crystal or plasma screen which is built up of solid-state pixels and can thereby be relatively light and thin. Via image display panel 40 messages can be generated to the player in visual form as soon as sweep board 31 is brought into its lowered position as shown in FIG. 2. This takes place just after the player has played his preceding ball 6, see FIG. 4, and therefore immediately after a naturally exciting moment in the game. The messages can come from a message generator in the apparatus itself which autonomously generates a message from a set of messages stored as such in a memory of the apparatus, for instance an advertising message or a slogan, but can also be of a more interactive nature.

This latter is achieved in the present invention in that detection means 50 are provided which are able to determine the number of pins 10 struck and to generate this as information signal to the message generator. The detection can take place via the setting table which already comprises a number of pin detectors for setting up the correct pins each time, although in this exemplary embodiment use is made of a separately arranged optical detector 50 which is arranged outside the path of the ball close to the lane and records an image of the target area. The number of pins struck is thus detected optically and fed back to the message generator. On the basis of the result of the delivery the message generator selects or composes a message adapted thereto and generates this to the player when the resetting device comes into operation.

In addition, a user console not shown in the drawing is coupled to the message generator. This user console comprises a keyboard and display with which another player can enter a message. This message is sent to the message generator which in turn generates this message to the player, optionally at the next operation of the resetting device.

Although the invention has been further elucidated on the basis of this one exemplary embodiment, it will be apparent that the invention is by no means limited to the given example. On the contrary, many variations and embodiments are still possible for a person of ordinary skill in the art within the scope of the invention. 

1. Ball game apparatus comprising a delivery lane for allowing a ball path between a delivery area and a target area, wherein in the target area at least one target element is disposed, at least during operation, to be struck by a game ball, and wherein a resetting device is provided to place one or more target elements in a starting position or remove them from the target area, characterized in that a message generator is coupled to the resetting device which is able and adapted to generate a message to a player in association with the resetting device coming into operation.
 2. Ball game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the message generator is coupled to an image display device which is able and adapted to generate the message to the player in at least visual form.
 3. Ball game apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the resetting device comprises a sweeping device which is provided with a displaceable sweep board and which comprises the image display device on a side directed toward the player.
 4. Ball game apparatus as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the image display device comprises an image display panel built up of solid-state pixels, in particular a liquid crystal panel or a plasma panel.
 5. Ball game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the message generator is coupled to an electronic, at least readable memory which is able to store an optionally fixed set of messages, and that the message generator is able to present one or more messages from the set to the player.
 6. Ball game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that detection means are provided which are able and adapted to determine a number of target elements struck following a delivery or set of deliveries, and to generate this as information signal to the message generator, wherein the message generator generates a message on the basis thereof.
 7. Ball game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a user console is coupled to the message generator to receive a message from a user and generate it to the message generator.
 8. Resetting device for application in a ball game apparatus in order to place one or more target elements in a starting position or remove them from a target area, characterized in that there is coupled thereto a message generator which is able and adapted to present a message to a player in association with the resetting device coming into operation. 